Circuit closer



. Oct. 18, 1949. J. T. LOGAN 2,485,394

CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed March 17. 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. James 7. L o gan 48 49 BY J. T. LOGAN CIRCUIT CLOSER Oct. 18, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17. 1945 M M W Fatented ct.

2,485,354 CIRCUIT CLOSER James T. Logan,

Electric Company,

Application March 1'2,

This invention relates to mechanism for oper ating a circuit breaker, such as is employed to control the fiow of current in electric power circuits, and particularly to mechanism for reclos= ing a circuit breaker, after it has opened and interrupted the flow of current in a power circuit. A particular object of my invention is to provide an operating mechanism for reclosing a circuit breaker very quickly after it is opened which is simple, low in cost, and one which does not re quire a local power supply such as station service transformers, large storage batteries with their complicated means for charging, compressed air storage systems, or the like.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a closing mechanism in a circuit breaker operating means which shall include means for utilizing the stored energy of an explosive, such as gun powder, TNT, or other suitable explosive capable of being compacted in a relatively small cartridge and detonated at the proper time to utilize the power of the explosion in accomplishing the closing or the circuit breaker.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, circuit breakers, depending upon their voltage classifications or current ratings, have considerable mass in their moving elements and require large amounts of energy, particularly to close their contacts. Closing of their contacts, as accomplished by conventional methods, include manual means, springs, mechanism operated by compressed air, and electromagnetic means. Difficulties have been encountered in the design and use of all such means due to the fact that they are either too slow in response or are too complicated in construction. Where electromagnetic means are employed, or an electric motor is employed to operate the circuit breaker, when required, there is necessitated a continuous source of electric power outside the circuit being controlled. Where pneumatic or compressed air operated mechanism is used, there is required a motor driven air compressor installa tion, an air storage tank, heaters, and pressure control apparatus; all automatically controlled. With such an installation, from 150 to 250 lbs. per square inch of air pressure must be maintained in the storage tank some 525,000 odd minutes of the year, whereas it is actually needed probably not more than minutes of the year. The pressure must be maintained continuously in order for the circuit breaker to be reclosed without delay after each opening.

In accordance with my invention, the source of energy for closing the circuit breaker comes Atlanta, Ga., assignor to General a corporation of New York 1945, Serial No. 583,384

aciaims. lill.20082) contact and closing from an explosive, such as gun powder, TNT,

nitro-glycerin, or the like. The energy stored in the explosive is released from a shell or cartridge into a chamber or cylinder in a manner not greatly unlike those employed in fire arms. Instead of this stored energy being allowed to act against a projectile, in my apparatus it acts against a piston operatively connected to the reclosing member of the circuit breaker.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a view in elevation showing my improved reclosing mechanism applied to a conventional circuit breaker;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the reclosing mechanism with the circuit indicated diagrammatically;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken long the lines IV-IV of Fig. 2 and showing the magazine for holding the explosive charges.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a circuit breaker, including stationary contact members it? and it which are adapted to be bridged by means of a cross head closing member 12 connected by a link 13 to an operating lever It. The members may be mounted in an enclosure i6, and the operating mechanism may be supported on the enclosure It by means of a bracket l1 or by any other suitable means.

The operating lever H is pivotally mounted at I! on a stationary member l9. Connected to the lever H is a latch member 20 which is adapted to engage and hook over a trip member 2! pivotally mounted at 22, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The trip member 2| has an arm 23 extending laterally over a solenoid 24, which is included in a supervisory circuit 26, which may be energized by an overload as through a current transformer 25. The solenoid may also be operated by reason of some other abnormal conditionin the main circuit, as is well understood. When the solenoid 26 is actuated, the trip member 2| is disengaged from the latch member 20 and the operating lever It moves downwardly to separate the closing member l2 from the contact members I0 and N. This downward movement of theoperating lever i l may be aided by means of a spring 21.

Mounted beneath the operating lever I4 is a cylinder 28 having a piston 29 therein with a piston rod 30 which extends upwardly and is connected to the operating lever 14 at 3|. The

magazine beneath the lower, open end, of the cylinder 28. A passage 33 through the housing 34 communicates with the lower end of the cylinder. The step by step rotation of the magazine 32 is accomplished by means of a flexible wire 33 encased in a guiding sheath 40 to the operating lever I4 at H. The wire 39 extends downwardly into the housing 34 and into a recess 42 in the housing extending alongside the magazine. Positioned in the recess 42 is a cross head 43 to which the wire 33 is connected and which carries a pawl 44. The pawl member 44 engages successively in notches 46 in the magazine 32 to advance the magazine and successively position the cartridges 3! beneath the passage 33 leading to the cylinder 28.

As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, each time the circuit 5 is opened by means of the bridging member I 2' moving away from the contacts I and II, the operating lever I4 moves downwardly, moving the wire 39 inwardly of the housing 34 to actuate the cross head 43 and pawl 44. When the operating arm I4 moves upwardly in a recloslng movement, the wire 39 is pulled upwardly by the lever I4, thus rotating the magazine 32 one step and positioning another cartridge 31 beneath the passage 38. At each step, a spring detent 41 drops, into a notch 46 to position and hold the magazine 32 until the next closing movement 01' the operating lever I4.

The cartridges 31 a firing pin 48 actuated by any suitable mecha- I nected by a link 54 to a switch 56 included in the circuit 5|. It will be seen that when the operating lever I4 moves upwardly toward closing position of the circuit breaker, the switch 56 cartridge 31.

Pressure in the cylinder 28 is released near the end of the upward stroke is next opened. From the foregoing it will be apparent that I my improved apparatus is eslor rural and low voltage dis- While I have shown my form, it will be obvious to art that it is not to be set on in response to another separation 01 gagement with said cooperating contact. a magaiston. means responsive to movement of said lever for setting on one of said exan enclosing sheath therefor, and a pawl operated by said wire for moving said magazine so as to place another explosive charge in said magazine in a position tobe set off in response to another separation of said contacts, said wire being moved longitudinally through said sheath in response to movement of said lever.

JAMES T. LOGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 723,183 Read Mar. 17, 1903 1,964,155 Hobbs June 26, 1934 2,011,144 Coffman Aug. 13, 1935 2,078,784 Willheim Apr. 27, 1937 2,270,353 Spurck Jan. 20, 1942 2,310,755 'I'humim Feb. 9, 1943 

